Woodford Reserve Rediscovers Historical Roots with Limited Edition Sweet Mash Whiskey

New Master's Collection Release Marries History and Innovation
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(Business Wire)--
Woodford Reserve will revive a long-abandoned bourbon production
practice in early November with the release of the third whiskey in
its award-winning Master's Collection series, 1838 Sweet Mash.
Kentucky's signature industry is famous for its sour mash whiskies,
and the Woodford Reserve 1838 Sweet Mash is an exception with this
revival of a historic technique.

"Though no one person can be credited with creating the sour mash
process now used to make all American whiskies, the present-day
Woodford Reserve Distillery is largely known as the site where the
method was defined," said Woodford Reserve Master Distiller and
Spirits Historian Chris Morris. "The sour mash process was innovative
at the time and is now common practice. The Woodford Reserve
Distillery has taken that innovation 'a step in reverse' by bringing
the old-fashioned sweet mash practice back to life."

All bourbon whiskies are traditionally crafted using a sour mash
process in which ingredients - grains, yeast and water -- from a prior
distillation (referred to as spent mash) are introduced into a new
mash mixture. The result is a sour mash which is fermented for several
days before being distilled. Sour mash ultimately creates a more
consistent product with less variation from batch to batch. Sweet
mash, however, was the original production practice established to
craft bourbon whiskies, and it consists of using entirely fresh
ingredients - grains, yeast and water - to create a mixture which will
be fermented for several days and then distilled. This process gives
the mash a higher pH level and reveals a layer of aromas and flavors
which aren't commonly found in sour mash bourbons.

"We believe that this is the first bourbon of its kind to be
bottled in 150 years, or certainly since Prohibition," said Wayne
Rose, brand director for Woodford Reserve. "Bottling sweet mash was
the original standard for bourbon production until the sour mash
process came along, and Woodford Reserve is honored to release 1838
Sweet Mash as a tribute to the industry's heritage."

1838 Sweet Mash is the third in the Woodford Reserve Master's
Collection series following the Four Grain bourbon and Sonoma-Cutrer
Finish products. Released periodically at the master distiller's
discretion, the Master's Collection whiskies are extremely limited in
quantity, bottled only once and feature a package inspired by the
copper pot stills of The Woodford Reserve Distillery. 1838 Sweet Mash
celebrates the founding year the present-day Woodford Reserve
Distillery was constructed and commemorates the end of the sweet mash
bourbon-making era.

The inspiration for the Master's Collection is rooted in The
Woodford Reserve Distillery's rich history and traditions. In the
mid-1800s distillery owner Oscar Pepper and Master Distiller James
Crow studied and recommended using key processes like sour mashing and
charred barrel maturation at the historic Woodford County distillery.
These practices are still maintained in the bourbon industry and,
today, the distillery receives more than 80,000 visitors annually and
is the only one in America to triple-distill bourbon in copper pot
stills.

Woodford Reserve 1838 Sweet Mash will be sold in 25 U.S. markets:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Wisconsin.
It will also be released for the first time in Canada. Each bottle is
individually hand-numbered and presented at 86.4 proof. Available in
major metro markets, only 1,045 cases are available with a suggested
retail price of $89.99 for a 750ml bottle.

Woodford Reserve, 45.2% ABV, is one of the fine spirits produced
and marketed by Brown-Forman Corporation, a diversified company
responsible for other quality consumer products including: Jack
Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, Southern Comfort, Fetzer and Bolla Wines,
and Korbel California Champagnes. Woodford Reserve reminds you to
drink responsibly.

Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Whiskey, 45.2% Alc. by Vol., The Woodford Reserve Distillery,
Versailles, KY (C)2008.

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Tasting Notes for Woodford Reserve 1838 Sweet Mash

Color: Rich, orange brown.

Aroma: Maple syrup sweetness covers a fruity, spicy character rich
in nutmeg, cinnamon and hints of clove.

Taste: Rich with loads of fruit - apple, blueberry and blackberry -
all layered with a hint of maple syrup. Rye and mint round
out the palate.

Finish: Clean and warm with a very soft apple finish.
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Brown-Forman
Andrea Duvall, 502-774-6044
andrea_duvall@b-f.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008